He burns defenders but he never burns dinner. Daniel Haughton does it all! See page 5
Marching to the beat of his own [clarinet], he’s doing it the Thierry Charles way! See page 7
He’ll be ready any given Sunday, so you better keep an eye out for Ben Anderson! See page 10
THE HAWK
1
The Student Newspaper of Charlotte Latin School
Vol. 42 No. 1 9502 Providence Road Charlotte, NC 28227 May 2022
Senior year is always a home run—and no one hit it out of the park better than Dave Mosrie. See page 11
If vacation is all you ever wanted, check out what the seniors did over Spring Break! See page 16
EYE
Letters
May 2022
THE SENIOR EDITION 2022
Not-so-painful Growing Pains:
We’re online! clshawkeye.press Follow us on Instagram! @clsjournalism
Student body president Liu shows uniting as a class lessened the stress of growing up Throughout our high school years, we’ve barely ever had time to settle down entirely, to stay still and stagnant. We’ve been constantly pushed— whether by ourselves, friends, homework, or a pandemic—to deal with stress and discomfort. These past four years have been a mini marathon with little to no breaks. A common high school timeline for some of us may have looked like this: Freshman year. A lot of us were getting accustomed to new friends, teachers, and classes, pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones and adjusting to the new space. We started getting used to schedules and high school routines! By the time sophomore year came around, many of us—for the most part— started to feel the groove of high school. We became
better friends with our acquaintances from the year before. The campus felt a little more comfortable as we began settling down. We navigated Latin, until the pandemic hit. Junior year was a grind. After a summer of not knowing what would happen, online school days blurred together. We were separated from friends; we picked up new, fun hobbies. But we did what we had to do, learned more, and grew in so many ways. And this year. The
college application season was a whirlwind of work, and some of our classes never seemed to be as easy as rumors said senior year would be. But we finished them! And we got to see each other’s faces again. And, suddenly, here we are in the second semester so close to graduation. Looking back, each of us have managed to make our way through it. It was by no means easy, but the growing pains we’ve experienced have shaped us into who we are. Throughout our lives
and especially during the last four years, we’ve looked for and clarified our interests. We learned more about ourselves. About how we work, learn, play. Whether it’s sports, history, engineering, art, volunteering, or one of the countless other things at least one of us have done, we’ve found our way. And just as importantly, we come together to form a class that supports and uplifts others unlike any other. We’ve become a class in which, like a mosaic, our unique stories and interests
create something bigger. (It’s no secret that the class of 2022 has an extremely good reputation among teachers and faculty; I’ve heard that we will be greatly missed). Our class is so special because all of us come together and collaborate. And that’s something key to note: no matter where we are, we all contribute something. As we move on to the next chapter of our lives, this cycle—of feeling discomfort, adapting, learning, and growing—will reappear. I think it always will (just hopefully without a pandemic). We’ll continue to be pushed out of our safe havens, forced to readjust and keep moving forward. But just as COVID became an opportunity for us to try new things and explore what we love, college will be the same. We’ll meet new people and professors. We’ll take new classes. Except this time, we’ll be equipped with the experiences we’ve had throughout the last four years. So just as what we’ve been doing so far, take advantage of new opportunities and possibilities. Continue to build who we are as people—navigating our purposes (especially in
a world where so many issues may make things seem extremely difficult) while branching out, contributing to communities we join and create. But we should also make an effort to maintain the collaboration we’ve achieved so far. It definitely won’t be as much as it is now after we go off to different places around the world, but we would be doing ourselves a disservice if we let go of our friends, teachers, and communities from Latin so soon. Ultimately, keep our minds open to things we never thought could happen. Keep coming together to become a better whole. Keep experiencing growing pains, Class of 2022, because we’re a class that strives to be the best we can be and sets supportive examples for future classes.
Letters............................1-3 Profiles...........4, 5, 7, 10-14 Spring Break...................16 Senior Voices..........4, 6, 15 Class Picture..................8-9
Letters
2
Letters
May 2022
Our American Experiment:
Class president reflects on Republican virtue, Jeffersonian philosophy and class of 2022 By Harrison Klingman
Morgan Hammer ‘22 performs in “Bright Star” with Adam Stone ‘25 and Dominick Charles ‘25.
teachers, and family and there is nothing you can’t accomplish. To “Cultivate [Your] Garden” Coined by the philosophe Voltaire in his enlightenment work “Candide,” it is incumbent that all of us tend to ourselves and our interests. The beauty of this nation is the exaltation and creativity of the individual. There is certainly no lack of this individuality in our senior class. For example, as Jefferson called George Washington in his “Notes on the State of Virginia,” William Burleson has proved himself to be one of the “celebrated worthies of the world” for his weekly publications surrounding mental health in his Substack journal “semi-colon.” William’s confidence, diligence, and self awareness has not only promoted his self growth, but also germinated a vigilance in our Latin community that is so essential to the enlightened society Jefferson envisioned for America. Additionally, Morgan Hammer’s enthusiasm and love of dance enriches our community and exudes the energy, motivation, and individuality vital to carrying out the wishes of our
founding fathers for future generations of Americans. Just as these two have inculcated virtue through their individuality, we must do the same for the sake of ourselves and our nation. To Respect the Environment To Jefferson, America in itself was a national park. With rich biodiversity, geology, and river systems, Nature had blessed this continent with endless beauty and opportunity. However, the recurring vices of humanity such as greed, vanity, and ignorance have raped our landscape, waters, and air by exploiting our natural resources for economic gain with little consideration for giving back. Earth is our home. It is incumbent on us to protect it at all cost to preserve it for future Americans and citizens of the world. How might we fix this problem? As this is a loaded question, I will offer one simple solution: spend more time in Nature. Think of the countless hours you have spent inside working on homework, watching sports, or scrolling through Snapchat. As spring is now here, step outside and note the leafing Tulip Poplars, the songs of the
Photo by Abbe McCracken
Northern Cardinal, and the warmth of the sun which Jefferson called his “almighty physician.” Through experiences with Nature, you will form a bond with the land, setting off a cascade of actions and emotions which will protect this nation and the world we inhabit. To close with a Jefferson
The continuation of the American experiment is contingent on the character, virtue, and manners of its people. A product of the Enlightenment culture and thought, the American Revolution sought to establish a nation free from the binding tyranny and influences of a far off despotic power to create a nation baptized in Nature’s gift of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” This Jeffersonian and republican promise has been held sacred by Americans since the dawn of our nation in Philadelphia in 1776 under the auspices of an enlightened society committed to “the proposition that all men are created equal.” However, America began with unsure footing. Selfishness and economic greed threatened the prospects of a united republic as the first generation of free Americans teetered between liberty and the despotism that so many fought to disband. Yet our presence today reveals the success with which our nation prevailed as the vigilance, reason, and virtue of past Americans paved the path of history
upon which we were born. Now, as we approach new opportunities and experiences, we must emulate the actions of our founders and ancestors to preserve and amend this union so many have fought to create and protect for posterity. Our responsibilities are as follows: To Pursue Knowledge The pursuit of knowledge is one of the greatest and most elusive human pleasures. As we coexist with vicious temptations small and large from social media to illegal substances, knowledge often becomes a stranger to the teenage mind. Instead, we must nurse and foster it by reading, learning, and expanding the infinite limits of the human mind. All it takes is patience, diligence, and commitment. Yet these three virtues take years to hone with keen self awareness. If at first there is no success, do not fret. Learning is one of the most difficult arts to master. Luckily, our class of 2022 is renowned for its camaraderie, manners, and collective intellectual spirit. Simply rely on your friends,
quote, “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.” So look forward, senior class. You are equipped with the tools to do great things for yourselves, your posterity, and your America. While we will soon say goodbye, we will never be apart. As long as minds can think and hearts can feel, our
class of 2022 will always be together. So until next time, everyone. It’s time to light a new match and change the world.
William Burleson ‘22 and his twin sisters Emily ‘29 and Caroline ‘29.
Photo by Amy Burleson
Harrison Klingman served as senior class president. He will attend William and Mary in the fall.
Letter from the Editor
3
Letter from the Editor
May 2022
From Friends to Forklifts:
Our four-year journey full of memories and legacies finally comes to an end By Ryan Lupfer
No matter what you do next year, or even the next ten years, never forget what you have learned here. The core values: Leadership, Moral Courage, Commitment to Excellence, Honor Above All, Respect for Oneself and Others, and Personal Responsibility are no doubt our tools in the lifelong pursuit of selfactualization.
As I sit here writing this letter to the class, I cannot help but reflect on my past four years at Charlotte Latin School. Coming into Latin as the new kid who didn’t know anyone, I was pretty nervous that I wouldn’t make any friends and would then have a terrible high school experience. However, what I found on this 128 acre campus was truly incredible. I found teachers who care more about my personal growth than the grades I receive. As a freshman at a new school, I was immediately welcomed into the community, which helped my confidence grow so much. Just knowing that I could be myself and people would accept me allowed for my development. Acceptance and self worth are extremely important when you’re just a high school kid. I found friends who appreciate my personality and sense of humor, who I will definitely not fall out of touch with. Friends who I know I can count on, support me in what I do, and can have lots of fun with. I have met some of the best people
in my life during high school. From becoming forklift certified to being a part of the ‘bench boys’ during soccer season, they have always been with me wherever I go and whatever I do. To my classmates, our journey through high school has been afflicted by a global pandemic, and yet we have come out as seniors even closer than when we
There is a notion that there exists a maximum number of people to an effective social network; it just so happens to be one hundred fifty members. This is the limit of the human ability to remember and connect with all the people in the group on a personal level. Dunbar’s number provides a scientific reason as to why our class is, for lack of a better term,
awesome. But whether you subscribe to the scientific explanation or just think we got lucky with a great group of kids, it is undeniable that the reputation we have built during our time on campus is special. We have forever left an impact on Latin, and our legacy will live on for years to come. And finally, don’t forget to call your mom.
A jumping student section at a football game, solidifying the Hawk community as the best in Charlotte. Photo by Angel Trimble
all showed up to orientation as freshmen. The time spent socially distancing in our houses undoubtedly made us understand the importance of socialization. Having to substitute real conversations for Zoom meetings and going out to eat for drive throughs really showed us we all need human interaction. It’s no wonder then that we have the best student sections
in North Carolina, with hordes of students showing out at every type of sporting event to be led by seniors. As we look forward to the next chapter of our lives, we must all remember the one hundred fifty individuals that will forever be known as the graduating class of 2022. Even though we may become scattered across the country next year, we need to never stop being friends.
Just a picture of me admiring the view from the resort in Jamaica, where many seniors went on Spring Break. Photo by WIliam Burleson
The trio of Ryan Lupfer (left), Daniel Haughton (middle), and Davis Thompson (right) all looking forward to what their senior years will bring. Photo by Alexa Lupfer
Lupfer served as senior editor in chief of “The Hawk Eye” newspaper. He plans atttend Georgetown University in the fall.
Celebrating the beginning of our senior year at Convocation. Photo by Nelia Dolan
Your Charlotte Latin lacrosse team walking out to take the field, and the competition, by storm. Photo by Angel Trimble
Senior Voices & Profiles
4
Senior Voices & Profiles
May 2022
As told to Jessica Clover
Hammer as the Capulet’s servant in Latin’s production of “Romeo and Juliet.” Photo by Abbe McCracken
I’ve been in every play and musical since fourth grade. Theater was always something I intended to do. My older sister (Cady Hammer ‘18) was in Latin productions, and I always watched Disney Channel movies or TV shows about performing and decided it was what I wanted to do for
the rest of my life. I think my favorite role was Lucy in “Bright Star,” even though it’s my most recent role. It was so different from anything I’d ever played before in terms of the mature content and the stamina required. I also loved working with Adam Stone ‘25 and
Dominick Charles ‘25 who played Billy and Daryl, respectively. We had so much fun vibing off each other and harmonizing. I also loved “Another Round”; singing and dancing in that number was one of my favorite Latin performance moments. I think a chimney sweep in “Mary Poppins” was my most challenging role because of the stamina required. The choreography was incredible, but it was very technical. I also had no dance training and the next person had five years of experience, so I was very out of my league. I also was in all four casts, which made my schedule very busy. But it was so much fun at the same time, and it definitely improved my dancing, as well as helped me learn time management. When I was a freshman and my best friends were eighth graders, it was a security concern for them to be outside with me in the Gazebo in the mornings. I was so upset that I decided that if I couldn’t see them, they could see me. So one morning, I put
on my $20.00 Walmart headphones and Kenzie’s “Breathe” and started dancing in front of the Middle School. I just kept doing it because it makes me feel so happy, refreshes my energy and lets me express myself. Dancing Headphones Girl as a name was originally an insult that I took ownership of. One way I handled it was confiding in my incredible family and friends and heeding their advice. I also attribute a lot of my strength to resilience because I’ve experienced a lot of things over the
years that have shaped my abilities to deal with bullying or remaining optimistic through hardship. I think it’s important to do what makes you happy and live how you want to live. Caring about what others think of me and my headphones will do nothing but fester and hurt my feelings therefore; why should I listen to it? The best response to negativity about something that defines you, in my opinion, is to keep living authentically and do what makes you you.
Morgan Hammer, Dominick Charles ‘25 (Daryl) and Adam Stone ‘25 (Billy) show off their dancing skills during “Another Round” from their “Bright Star” performance this year. Photo by Abbe McCracken
Making Mental Health a Personal Mission: William Burleson inspires community to unite in conversation and action By Lucy Dempsey
William Burleson is greeted by his friends after arriving back from Hopeway. Photo by Amy Burleson
It is the struggle that many people find difficult to talk about: mental health. Experiences with mental health can be life-changing, and many people are afraid to talk about them--but not William Burleson, who was recently diagnosed with bipolar II disorder. Every week Burleson publishes a new article about his journey in overcoming this disorder on an online blog called “semi-colon” (williamburleson.substack. com), and each article reflects deeply on his mental health journey. Burleson has shared his
story beyond social media and has earned the respect of the Latin community for his courage in doing so. Burleson first opened up about his journey on January 16, 2022. He was inspired to write these articles with the hopes that he, too, could access stories like his when he was battling depression and anxiety. Burleson said, “With these stories, I might be able to reach someone who feels alone.” Burleson stated that suicidal thoughts are very scary when they first arise and when they keep returning,
people begin to get too attached to them. “I hope in writing my stories that I can convince people they can ask for help before they get too comfortable with their own suicidal ideation.” Throughout his journey Burleson has met many new people and has found inspiration in them. For Burleson, his friends and family had the most amazing impact on his road to understand. But when Burleson spent 30 days in a psychiatric hospital with many other patients, he met someone named “Ward.” Ward and Burleson quickly became very close; Ward soon revealed that Ward had been a crystal meth addict for 20 years. Ward told Burleson that he thought it was “too late” for him; Burleson assured him that it was not, and it was then that Burleson realized he could be the person to help others before it was “too late.” While Burleson definitely
credits family and friends in navigating his struggles of bipolar II disorder, he also found support through the Latin community. “They welcomed me back with open arms,” Burleson said. “The administration, teachers and my peers have been incredible. They play a crucial part in my journey of healing. I did not get nervous about coming back to school, because I knew I was coming back to a truly special community.” Burleson first discovered he wanted to write stories about his mental health in between the hospital and Hopeway (a mental health clinic located in Charlotte, North Carolina). While waiting for his COVID test results (which were needed before his admittance to Hopeway), Burleson’s emotions overcame him. He knew that he could use his experiences to show others in his position they were not alone. This summer following graduation, he will take all of the articles
and compile them into a book; he plans to meet with editors and publishers in New York to turn that book into a reality. Burleson is very excited for this next chapter and is ready for the next step in his life and journey. He understands it can be very difficult for people to open up and share their stories. Burleson said, ‘Talking about mental health can be uncomfortable because one has to be extremely open in order to share. These days, being honest and open can freak some people out— even to the point they do not know how to respond.” With Burleson’s stories he hopes to widen the gap between honesty and being uncomfortable when it comes to mental health journeys. With his stories in print and his actions in person, Burleson has had a positive effect on the Latin community by sharing his journey and in allowing others to feel comfortable in sharing their own, as well.
Profiles
5
Profiles
May 2022
Cooking On and Off the Athletic Field: Daniel Haughton’s journey towards self-actualization
“When I put on the helmet, I don’t have to worry about what anyone thinks of me. I can be in a world of my own, and that’s amazing,” Daniel Haughton said. Football has been a way to escape the troubling realities of life and all of its hardships for Haughton. It has provided support and knowledge for him and taught him the ropes of life. When Haughton first came to Latin in ninth grade, he was really nervous about making new friends in a completely new environment. Thankfully, he was able to figure all of that out easily because of football and basketball. “As I went through high school, I became more comfortable with people and the community as a whole,” Haughton said. He is extremely thankful for his time at Charlotte Latin, especially in regards to his personal growth. “It was hard for me to express my opinions as a ninth grader, but I gradually became more and more confident,” Haughton said. Just like football, life is nothing more than a game of inches, and every trial that is thrown his way is
By Ryan Lupfer
has impacted his life, and how different athletics have helped him hone valuable life skills off the athletic fields. “Football is a huge part of my life; I am obsessed with the sport,” Haughton said. Football has not just been a way to spend time with friends, but also a way to come closer to selfactualization. “It is something I try to incorporate into my life every day; it Chef Daniel cooks up some special ‘wicked mac’ for his famhas also helped ily to eat for dinner. Photo by Denise Haughton me find myself and release me just another play where from the social pressures Haughton hopes to find the that surround me.” Sports end zone. have taught Haughton so Undoubtedly his much in his four years favorite part of the high in high school, including school experience was the how to lead people who team sports, specifically may not know as much as football and basketball. he does. It has taught him Haughton emphasized how how to be vocal and share his participation in sports his opinions. Haughton
highlighted the importance of the competitive nature that surrounds sports, which has instilled hard life lessons about sacrifice and loss. “It has taught me that there are going to be ups and downs in life; there is always going to be one winner, and that is what I love about competing, but it still hurts when you lose,” Haughton said. But, above all, you have to pick yourself up off the ground and work as hard as you can to improve yourself, according to Haughton. Haughton is extremely excited to spend the next four years at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, playing football at the next level. The competition does not stay on the field for Haughton, as he has recently found himself in a friendly cooking rivalry with his father. His interest in cooking started in the seventh and eighth grades just watching his dad cook in the kitchen. He learned some family recipes from him and eventually decided he wanted to venture out on his own and start cooking his own meals. It really picked up during
I t Ta k e s A V i l l a g e :
quarantine as there was not much else to do. “I watched a lot of videos and really dove into the deep end of researching the fabled history of culinary arts,” Haughton said. His favorite thing to cook is definitely his infamous ‘wicked mac’, which is a special take on macaroni and cheese. He also makes a mean omelet. If he could give one piece of advice to his younger self, Haughton would emphasize the importance of staying true to yourself. “That’s a problem I used to have, but when you stop caring about what people think about you or have to say about you, you will have a better life. You only have one life, so you better live it to the best of your ability,” Haughton said. Football is more than just a game, it is a way of life, a way to find another perspective. It reflects all of the highs and lows of our world, expressing the joys and sorrows of life. Haughton’s competitive spirit and quiet determination serve as a reminder of just how much can be accomplished when you keep your eye on the ball.
Ben Bridges engineers a successful future with a little help from his friends By Connor Little
When Ben Bridges first arrived at Charlotte Latin School in the sixth grade, what initially stood out to him were the numerous opportunities the school offered its students. In a community as tight-knit as Latin, making friends at that age can be difficult. However, Bridges didn’t encounter this problem. “Robotics Club was something that really interested me when I came to Latin, and it helped me to get to know people who I consider some of my best friends today,” Bridges said. But Robotics Club wasn’t only important in helping Bridges make friends; it shaped who he became today. “Robotics Club really spurred my interest in engineering and helped me grow into the student I am today,” Bridges said. Thanks to that initial positive Middle School experience, Bridges continued his involvement in engineering when he entered Upper School. As he integrated more deeply into the community,
need, Bridges learned about the importance of working with others. “Habitat for Humanity taught me that, by myself, I cannot build a house. But, through efforts of bringing people together and working with them, I am able to build a house. I think we’ve really changed people’s lives through this,” Bridges said. This concept Grayson Gatrell, Chace Davis, Tyler Hill, Davis Cary, Ben Bridges, Kennon Acks, Bennett Eastridge,and Cam Egan enjoy lunch break during their first time at a site for Habitat for Humanity. of what a group working together Bridges’ network of me to talk to a variety of can accomplish represents engineering people grew, people about engineering the core of what he feels he something he credits for so I can learn more about has learned most being a helping him get to where this world,” Bridges said. Hawk; he sees it reflected he is and where he is Relationships in general everyday in Dubick’s going. “Because of Latin’s are essential to Bridges’ class since teamwork is an resources, people like Mr. process, resulting in what integral part of engineering. [Tom] Dubick and Dr. he considers one of the “I think it was intentional [David] Taylor have helped most important lessons that a lot of the engineering me find opportunities and Latin has taught him and curriculum is focused work on projects that have can teach everyone who on learning to work with interested me. Also, my follows him. As a leader other students,” Bridges relationships outside of of Habitat for Humanity, said. Now, because of the school from engineering an organization that helps skillset he has honed at have made it possible for build houses for people in
Latin, Bridges said he is longer nervous when he encounters new groups of people. “After seven years at Charlotte Latin, I think the most valuable lesson I learned is the impact working with others can have on an individual. Everyday the people around me improve who I am, and this is something invaluable to me,” Bridges said. As he graduates from Charlotte Latin School, Bridges prepares to move halfway across the country to Houston, Texas to attend Rice University. But, whether he’s back home in Charlotte, in Houston furthering his education or somewhere else pursuing engineering, he’ll always remember that first engineering club in sixth grade that paved the way for the path he sees for his future. But no matter where he goes, Bridges will be proud to say that it took a village to help him get where he is and where he is going, something he will appreciate for the rest of his life.
Senior Voices
6
Senior Voices
May 2022
Through the Lab with Alex Coston: A big future in technology starts with a little family inspiration As told to Hailey Kim
My older sister (Sarah Coston ‘19), is very involved in STEM; she is currently majoring in electric engineering and compsci at MIT. All the projects she made in high school were really cool to me. I definitely owe her for putting me on the engineering track, as she did eCybermission first and introduced me to the wonders of the FabLab! Actually, I initially did not want to continue engineering in Upper School because I loved playing violin and wanted to stick with it. However, I have always loved the environment of the FabLab and knew I would miss the projects and hands-on work if I dropped it. Guys can’t have everything! No, but seriously, from teaching engineering camps to observing what my classmates accomplish, girls are incredibly creative and imaginative in what they make. STEM careers like engineering need the diligence and complexity women bring; encouraging young women to pursue
components. I had to alter the project inspiration to fit Fab Academy’s standards for a final project, which included making my own board and writing an entirely new algorithm to code it. For my neopixel mirror, I used the Shopbot to mill the wooden backboard, laser cut the plywood frames, and soldered all the neopixel strips before I started coding anything. From there, I worked on
Sophia Vona, Elaine Liu, Sydney Gee and and Alex Coston pose for a picture in the Fab Lab. Photo by Tom Dubick
STEM studies increases diversity of thoughts and ideas, which I think are vital to advancing STEM fields. I started going to the FabLab in Middle School when I did eCybermission (a science competition) and then actually decided to take engineering in Middle
getting my camera to work on its own, uploading pixelated images to my LEDs, and finally combining the input and output (which took a week on its own—it was awful). Final project season is always insanely hectic but also really fun. For the entire week before the projects are due, my whole class will be in the lab after school frantically trying to get their parts to work. It’s especially funny because
and Upper School so I could keep learning about the machinery and the lab. My freshman year of engineering ended up being especially fun because I loved my teacher, and my sister and I would work on our projects at the lab together after school,
which was cute. The lab is amazing because once you learn how to use the machines, you really can make almost anything. I saw so many cool projects by engineering students older than me and wanted to keep taking the class so I could design projects as
somehow every time it gets to this part of the year, all the machines in the lab decide to not work, which obviously makes it more stressful. By the end of the week, everyone is tired, Mr. [Tom] Dubick is mad at us for waiting until the last minute, but everyone’s projects are working and ready to be displayed. I’m thinking about pursuing architecture in college, which combines my love of engineering
with my less-practiced love of art. Whether or not I’ll actually stick with it is to be determined, I suppose. Post-college, at some point I want to travel and also live with my sister. We’ve always talked about sharing an apartment once we’re both out of college, and I would love to live in New York or California at some point in my life, so maybe we’ll go there. I would tell my younger self to embrace change, stop holding grudges, and above all to just be myself. I definitely get comfortable with routines and a specific way of life in general, so sometimes it was difficult for me to accept when things were changing and did not plan on reverting back. It also took me longer than it should’ve to become friends with people because my perception of them was based on interactions from previous years. People can change so much in a year, so I would definitely tell myself to stop being stubborn and just get to know people for who they are now. Finally, I know it’s cliché, but I would tell younger me to not change my personality for other people. It’s not worth it
complex as theirs. I also found out about Fab Academy through my sister because she was actually the first student to do it at Latin! Fab Academy is a rigorous, hands-on course where various machinery and skills are taught each week, with a final project to demonstrate mastery of the techniques learned. Over the course of six months, students learn the use of 3D printers, surfacemount soldering, PCB design, laser cutting, and more. My final project was a Neopixel Smart Mirror, which basically was a grid of neopixels (LEDs) with a camera in the center. The camera would input what it saw and reflect it on the neopixels, making it “mirror” whatever was in front of the grid. It was really cool and definitely one of the things I am proud of. The idea actually wasn’t mine to begin with; I did a lot of research about what my final project would be and saw someone who created basically the same thing but with different and it’s exhausting. Being yourself is a lot more fun tbh.
Coston’s Neopixel project. Photo Alex Coston
Coston’s Fab Academy project— Neopixel Mirror. Photo by Alex Coston
Profiles
7
Profiles
May 2022
Community:
Thierry Charles creates his own definition of the word By Ana Burke & Jaya Iyer
Community is a term that is difficult to define with a dictionary; rather, it contains a personal meaning different for every individual. There are so many types of communities within communities and so many meanings within that. For Thierry Charles his Latin family and the friends he has come to love are the core of what he will miss next year after he graduates. “Being able to hang out with so many people at once and having that community where you know everybody and you can hang out in the quad with one group and then next period, you have another group of friends to hang out with. You feel like you know everyone and feel like you’re able to hang out with anyone,” Charles said. Community is such an impactful part of Latin life and everyone plays their part. The school has clubs so that students with similar interests can discover each other or so people can find a group to bond with. These people may not have been close before but the citizenry at Latin brought them together. Charles was one of the leaders of the Black Student
Thierry Charles during Morehead Discovery Weekend with NC Governor Roy Cooper. Photo by Cynthia Charles
Alliance (BSA) at Latin, a club actually started by his sister, Michelle Charles ‘17, about five years ago. He initially avoided choosing to take on a major role in it because the idea of following in his sister’s footsteps didn’t appeal to him. He wanted to be his own person. However, once he was a junior and a senior, he took on a more prominent role in the club because he realized how important community is to him. He
hopes that BSA can bring Black students together, especially because he feels that they are so spread out between their cliques that it is hard to see the big picture. During club meetings, he and the other leaders try to take on a relaxed vibe while using all the space in the room to do group activities. They also try to incorporate music and agree/disagree games or games of similar ideas to inspire discussion and community. Charles has been musically inclined since kindergarten when he began playing the piano. He is also part of Latin’s Upper School band, playing the clarinet since fourth grade. Band is important to Charles. Charles said, “I played piano in kindergarten…I remember being nervous before concerts and recitals because I had to go up and play in front of everyone and if I messed up, they would know and make fun of me.” However, Charles said, “I think band is cool because it feels like a team since you can work to the best of your ability and you can still mess up and
everyone has your back in a way. It is really cool to feel like you can succeed or fail but everything will still turn out okay.” Charles is looking forward to all of the new opportunities that come with college. He is considering pursuing pre-med and majoring in chemistry. He was also offered and he accepted the Morehead-Cain Scholar Scholarship by The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which is such an
amazing accomplishment. Charles is excited for the different communities and clubs to which he can contribute in college. He hopes to join his school’s equivalent of the BSA, plus the Caribbean Students Alliance and the African Student Alliance. He also wants to continue with the band whether it be jazz band or concert band. While he will miss his friendships, he’s excited for the next part of his life and his new community to discover.
S h e ’ s a Wo r k o f A r t :
Cam Linker lives an artful life limited only by her imagination By Max Thompson
Art is unique in that it requires precision, patience and focus like very few other things do. Cam Linker, through tireless practice, has all three of these traits mastered as she strives to be the best artist she can be. Linker, a top senior Hawk artist, enjoys art as not only a hobby, but a passion. Linker has had art on
display year-round at the Mint Museum and earned multiple Scholastic Award recognition before her piece, “Florida Water,” won her the prestigious Scholastic Art Gold Key Award. “Florida Water” was a culmination of two months’ of work for Linker and was the first large scale piece she ever did (3x4 feet). “I worked really hard on it which is probably why it’s my favorite one,” Linker said. She also believes that the Charlotte Latin art community has contributed to much of the success she has found in her art career. “The way that Latin does art class has really been constructive, especially because it’s very non-directive, so whatever you want to do is supported. We are provided with resources and instruction from the teachers and I feel that openness and receptiveness to an individual student’s Cam Linker points to her acclaimed “Self Portrait Series” that earned her a Scholastic Gold Key. Photo by ideas and passions is Jamie Linker
great.” In the 2020-2021 school year, Cam Linker was also the cover artist for “Blue Review,” Latin’s nationallyrecognized literary and arts magazine, which she thought was a unique experience in itself because of the great exposure for her art and the opportunity to see her art in print. Linker was especially pleased to have been selected as a junior, since she knew the “Blue Review” editors often try to find senior artists for the cover when they can. “It was a great honor just to have that junior year,” Linker said. Linker has also been the art editor for “Blue Review” which has definitely presented opportunities she wouldn’t have had otherwise. “It has opened up a lot of conversations for me with other artists in the Upper School as well as the art teachers.” Through these conversations, she specifically appreciates the exposure she has gained to many other art forms. “I feel I have been able to be exposed to a lot of
different styles of art and works of art coming from other people that have strengthened my own abilities as an artist and an overall understanding of different mediums.” Until last year, Linker’s favorite medium for art had been oil painting, but recently became interested in photography, specifically long-exposure photography with her phone. “I think it is a really interesting medium because it’s very personal… and something about people as a subject has been a consistent theme throughout my work.” In addition to her art classes at Latin, Linker also takes private art study outside of school; the extra time and effort Linker puts into her art gives her even more opportunities to hone her craft. In her study at Brateman’s Studio, Linker is pushed to focus in a much more direct way with less freedom to explore and pursue her own style of art in the way she does in her Latin art classes. “There will be one subject and you all sit around in a circle and paint the same subject,”
Cam Linker stands in front of her work during the senior art show. Photo by Lily McMahan
Linker said. “It has a more intense focus on skill and how to do things right and wrong.” This balance between two philosophies makes Linker well-rounded and a stronger artist overall. Ultimately, Linker plans to incorporate art into her life beyond high school, but not in the way she originally thought. “I have always kind of wanted to do art in college but then more recently I think I am going to take a bit of a different path next year and maybe go into the social sciences but I think doing art as a minor is something I am interested in.”
Charlotte Latin School 2022
*As of May 13, 2022 Kennon Acks The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Katherine Addison Davidson College Megan Aljian North Carolina State University Devan Amin University of Arizona Ben Anderson Georgia Southern University Evelyn Austin Washington and Lee University Molly Beam University of Mississippi Ryan Beam Northwestern University Walden Becker The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Brooke Bellavia The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Photo by St John Photography
Amelia Bing Texas Christian University
Emma Colaco Rice University
Bennett Eastridge Purdue University
Laura Han Duke University
Sam Kaw Emory University
Sam Lucas The University of Alabama
Christopher O’Leary Wofford College
Anna Rogers Virginia Tech
Davis Thompson Virginia Tech
Bella Brawley Pennsylvania State University
Erin Corwin North Carolina State University
Quinn Edwards University of Georgia
Josie Harper The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Shea Kennedy The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Ryan Lupfer Georgetown University
Audrey Okland Auburn University
Ben Ruzicka North Carolina State University
Wilson Thrift Auburn University
Ben Bridges Rice University
Alexandra Coston Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Daniel Haughton Dartmouth College
Jennifer Kim University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Charlie Martin Wake Forest University
Kamryn Overcash North Carolina State University
Ellie Sabath Virginia Tech
Levani Tutovani Queens University of Charlotte
Milly Mattei The University of Alabama
Kyleigh Panther Elon University
Donovan Sanders Tufts University
Kate McCracken Northwestern University
Caroline Paschal The University of Alabama
Mary Schleusner Washington and Lee University
Sophia Vona The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Lily McMahan The New School
Nikki Patel The University of TennesseeKnoxville
Dan Schwarz University of Richmond
Jane Brownlow University of Georgia
Isabelle Cowan Barnard College
Brendan Bucci Pennsylvania State University
T.J. Creamer Merrimack College
William Burleson Wofford College
Aven Cutter University of Georgia
Griffin Campbell University of Mississippi Cross Canady Clemson University Davis Cary The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Thierry Charles The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Hayden D’Allaird University of Georgia Jack Dannemann Louisiana State University Layth Darwich University of South Carolina Chace Davis Purdue University Luisa de Armas Clemson University Julie Derraik Boston University
Helena Berens University of Notre Dame
Maret Claytor The University of TennesseeKnoxville
Vikram Dhillon Nova Southeastern University
Molly Berger The University of TennesseeKnoxville
Jessica Clover Furman University
Wilkes Dolan Clemson University
Camden Egan American University Joshua Fan Wake Forest University Liam Forshaw Rollins College Katharine Fultz The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Noelle Hein University of Arizona Sally Hendrick University of Colorado Boulder Tyler Hill University of Notre Dame
Grayson Gattrell University of Denver
Sarah Hinrichs Belmont University
Sydney Gee New York University
Eliza Hinshaw Wake Forest University
Sofia Gomez Babson College
Evan Hirsch University of South Carolina
Evan Goodgee Denison University
Millie Holtz North Carolina State University
Matthew Graf Tulane University
Thomas Hullinger University of Georgia
Lizzy Griesser University of Southern California
Emilie Jaen Hussian College-Los Angeles
Rachel Hall Dartmouth College Olivia Halperin Elon University Morgan Hammer Florida Southern College
Emily Jarmosevich Tulane University Jaylen Jones Belmont Abbey College Cameron Kaplan The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Megan Klingenberg University of Denver Paige Klingenberg University of Denver Harrison Klingman William and Mary Carson Latta University of Kentucky Nina Lavelle University of Richmond Brandon Lavitt Susquehanna University Abby Lebda Clemson University Cam Linker Smith College
Conner McRae West Virginia University Cole Medearis East Carolina University Walker Mermans Tulane University of Louisiana Quincey Moreland Elon University J.B. Morrill University of Kentucky Dave Mosrie Williams College
Elaine Liu Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Anya Nesmelova University of South Carolina
Ella Livingston Wake Forest University
Cody Ngwanza Elon University
Campbell Loeffler Emory University
Kaya Nichols Princeton University
Millie Patterson William & Mary Madeleine Pease Virginia Tech John Pence University of Richmond Sarah Picciola Western University Anna Pope Wake Forest University Sharanya Ravi Kumar North Carolina State University Owen Reimers North Carolina State University
Isis West Columbia University in the City of New York
Maddie Shannon Wake Forest University
Jewelle Whitlow Central Piedmont Community College
Grayce Sheinis University of Colorado Boulder
Sally Wilkinson Wofford College
Jackson Simerville University of Georgia
Chloe Wooster Clemson University
Sophie Smith The University of Alabama
Alex Wu University of Georgia
Abbi Snyder Villanova University
Irene Yang The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Cora Snyder William and Mary
William Zhou Duke University
Madison Stockwell The University of Alabama
Claire Zimmerman University of South CarolinaColumbia
Maddi Rhodes Paul Smith’s College
Morgan Stradford North Carolina A & T State University
Max Rimler Dickinson College
Sam Strawderman Appalachian State University
Profiles
10
Profiles
May 2022
R i s e t o t h e To p :
Ben Anderson’s journey to football stardom By Peyton Youse
Ben Anderson on his official visit to Georgia Southern University. Picture by Brian Anderson
The COVID-19 pandemic made life challenging for many people, but with it came a plethora of opportunities. For Anderson, one of these was more time to spend on long snapping. “I took advantage of the time I had and it made me a lot better,” Anderson said. “I started to watch a lot of YouTube and found certain drills that would help me get better.” He also explained how his growth was beneficial to his performance. “I grew a lot during COVID so that helped too.” With all of the additional time Anderson spent perfecting his craft, he skyrocketed up the rankings and became one of the top long snappers in the country. At the time he made his commitment, Anderson was a top 5 long snapper in the country and had a 5.0 rating according to Rubio Long Snapping. This meteoric rise means a lot to Anderson, and it is definitely something he doesn’t take lightly. “My favorite part about being ranked so high is that I can see that all my hard work is paying off, but then it makes me want to do better and to be the best that’s ever played this position,”
Anderson said. He also explained what things keep him going. “Rankings and personal goals keep me driving and never satisfied.” After his rise up the long snapping rankings, Anderson began to receive offers from multiple Division I schools. However, the recruitment process was difficult, especially during the pandemic. “The recruiting process during COVID was tough because there were only about 10 good schools that took long snappers,” Anderson said. “A lot of the schools who brought snappers in on visits didn’t end up taking a snapper in our class.” However, after a long and lengthy process, Anderson was finally able to narrow down his options and ultimately make a decision. “Although I had some really good options, I decided to turn down some schools for Georgia Southern,” Anderson said. After his commitment, he detailed why he chose to become an Eagle. “Georgia Southern was the best choice for me because of the coaches, players and the tradition they have there with their specialists,” Anderson said. “It was the best opportunity for me
to come in and play early. The program is on the rise, and they have brought in a really good coaching staff. They have a lot of former NFL coaches now on the staff, and the head coach was the former head coach at Southern California.” However, his commitment is just the first step in what is likely to be a long and successful college career. Even though his
Charlotte Latin’s football program is one of the strongest in the state and is competitive as a state championship contender year after year. Their program has produced a plethora of football stars throughout the years, and a handful of these stars have made it to the NFL. Names like Daniel Jones ‘15, Brenton Bersin ‘08, and Ross Cockrell ‘09 come to mind first, as each of these players have had strong and lengthy careers at the highest level. However, one of the best and most accomplished players in school history comes out of this year’s class with his sights set high. Ben Anderson, one of the top long snappers in the country, is aiming for bigger and better things at the next level. “I want to be the best long snapper coming out of college,” Anderson said. From an early age, Anderson possessed a passion for football. This passion was in part because of his dad, who left him with big shoes to fill. “I started playing tackle football around the third
grade,” Anderson said. “My dad played at Furman University and taught me everything I need to know about the sport.” Anderson also said how he vividly remembers his first memory on the gridiron. “I was playing tight end and ran a seam route and caught the ball in the back of the end zone,” Anderson said. However, the move from Middle School ball to Upper School ball was inevitable, and with it came a new set of challenges. “The transition from middle school to high school was hard because I was surrounded by much bigger and better football players,” Anderson said. He also noted how the pressure significantly increased. “The only pressure I felt during my freshman season was to give the best look when I was on scout team because I had to make sure the starters were getting better,” Anderson said. However, when those pressures began to lessen after his first two years on varsity, Anderson could focus on his journey to becoming one of the best long snappers in the country.
football career has been extensive, it is set up to be one that continues into the foreseeable future. While at Georgia Southern, Anderson acknowledged what he hopes to accomplish. “I hope to win the Sun Belt Championship and to win a bowl game all four years while I’m there,” Anderson said. “With that I hope to earn All-Conference and
other things like academic awards.” And while all these goals will not be a walk in the park, they will certainly be viable, if his long and successful football career is any proof of what Anderson can accomplish. Now all that’s left to see is if Anderson can join the ranks as one of the top Hawks to ever step foot on the football field.
Anderson #54 on the offensive line in a game against Providence Day. Picture by Charlotte Latin
Profiles
11
Profiles
May 2022
Kate McCracken:Actress Extraordinaire Kate McCracken shares her love for theater
McCracken and her director, Matt Cosper, right after she won the 2021 Blumey award for Best Actress. Photo by Abbe McCracken
The lights go up, the crowd roars, clapping is heard all around the stage. This is what Kate McCracken experiences when she gets to experience the arts. For McCracken, the stage becomes a place where she can share her love for storytelling through acting, singing and even dancing. And while technically her ability to incorporate all
three of these skills in the theater makes her a “triple threat,” McCracken humbly disagrees. “I would say I am a strong-mover–not a strong dancer.” However countless Latin audiences might just disagree. McCracken has been into singing her whole life and also plays guitar. McCracken often likes to share her skills by creating songs on guitar
and singing them for her family and friends. McCracken started acting at the young age of five. “I played the little orphan Molly at an acting camp at the YMCA,” McCracken said. McCracken doesn’t just act at Charlotte Latin and sometimes will act at Jay stage or Mathew’s Playhouse during the summer. During an average week while a show is going on, McCracken will spend upwards of twenty hours a week practicing her acting, singing and dancing. While McCracken has performed in many different shows, her favorite is her most recent, “Bright Star.” McCracken said it was her favorite because it was her first show without masks. “I relate to Alice Murphy and being able to play her was very healing for me and takes cake as my favorite. Alice taught me a lot about what it means to be free and playful. She really loves life, and that attitude rubbed off on me.” Coming from a family that obviously was invested in the arts, McCracken learned early that sharing this experience brought
people together. “Theater is important because it brings people together and can be used to do different things. It is healing and takes a group of people and brings them together and it only happens once so it pushes people together.” All actors have one coveted role they can see themselves in, and McCracken is no different. She has already made a name for herself having won a Blumey for Best Actress in 2021 so she has a very strong sense of
who she is as an actress. “My dream role of the already existing musicals is definitely Zoe Murphy from ‘Dear Evan Hansen,’” McCracken said. “But I would also love to originate a role and make it unique to me!” Kate thinks the most important thing for the young, upcoming actors and actresses is to find what makes them unique. “I would say it’s really important to lean into what makes you special–find what makes you unique and don’t dim it. Lean into the things you love about yourself whatever makes you, you!” Many people love the Latin arts for different reasons, it may be the stage or the costumes but McCracken loves the community the most. “Amy Morris and Matt Cosper are my mentors. I am privileged to work with them. I also love how the art is supported by Latin; Julie Derrick ‘22, Anna Wasko ‘24 and Belle Nabors everyone is willing to ‘23 (the spirits) watch over McCracken. Photo by Amy Nabors support the arts.”
Sliding into His New Home Plate: Dave Mosrie reflects on althetic memories as a Hawk By Tommy Beason
day to push the limits and attain my goals, a big one being to play baseball in college,” Mosrie said. All of his hard work has paid off: he heads to Williams Mosrie works to take down his opponent during the 2022 state College next wrestling championship. year where he will continue his academic “Fundamental, loyal and and athletic career, playing tough.” These are the three baseball. From a Hawk in attributes that Dave MosCharlotte, North Carolina rie, the three-sport senior to an Eph in Williamstown, Hawk, used to describe Massachusetts, he will take himself. From the classroom to the gridiron to the with him the memories that he will keep for a lifetime. wrestling mats and finally As a Latin Lifer, Mosrie to the baseball field, what has 13 years of countless does he not do? Not only is he a phenomenal athlete, memories from the school that he has called home but he is also a superior for many years. He recalls student. his favorite memory as his Mosrie always had the 37 yard field goal to win goal of playing baseball against Charlotte Christian at the next level, with his during this year’s football inspiration coming from season. “That’s probably his parents. “I have always one of the coolest moments looked up to my parents of my life,” Mosrie said. and they inspire me every-
Mosrie throws out a runner against Metrolina Christian on March 9th of the 2021 baseball season.
The reactions from the crowd and the importance of the moment support that this clutch, game-winning field goal will remain un-
forgettable for Mosrie. Mosrie has had to deal with a lot of adversity over his years at Latin, especially in Upper School with CO-
VID. Many of his precious seasons were cut or shortened due to the pandemic. He always makes sure to make the best of every second. “With all of the time lost due to the pandemic,” Mosrie said, “this year I’ve had to make up for the time by taking every day one at a time.” Mosrie always appreciated the care that his teammates, teachers, coaches, classmates and fans gave to the baseball team; he believed the support was unmatched. “My favorite thing about Latin is the strong sense of community and the support that I receive all across the board,” Mosrie said. Mosrie expressed bittersweet emotions regarding his farewell tour at Charlotte Latin. “It’s tough realizing that it is coming to an end,” Mosrie said. But there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Mosrie will go out with a bang. With all of his achievements, there is no question that there will be more to hear from the tough and loyal Hawk.
Profiles
12
Profiles
May 2022
W h e n I S e e Yo u A g a i n : Class of 2022 gathers memories for time capsule By Lydia McNichols
Imagine a time capsule that holds all your memories from your time spent at Charlotte Latin. When you and your classmates return for your ten-year reunion, what would you hope to see inside that will bring you back to your days spent with friends on the quad, in Founders’ Hall or sharing those first memories in Lower School? When the class of 2022 was asked this question, they proved that whether it was due to a sport, a class,
a teacher, or even a piece of clothing, Latin has had a huge impact on the past, present, and future selves of each and every Hawk. Think about a souvenir kept from a much-loved trip or a favorite item of clothing you used to wear on repeat—and then you wake up one day and realize, Wow. I have changed so much! Well, these seniors have changed, too. The items they would put in their time capsules represent a myriad of tangible items as well as symbolic locations on campus. You may have seen her dancing in the quad or singing by the IO building; senior Morgan Hammer explains how this part of her persona came to be. “My freshman year self would best be represented by my white Walmart headphones. These were the beginning items of Dancing Headphones Girl, who became one of the most memorable and important identities in my high school life. They represent my determination to see my friends as well as creativity and un-
apologeticness to be myself. Even though I’ve evolved as Dancing Headphones Girl, those first headphones are so important to me as they represent new ideas, determination and unapologetic fun,” said Hammer. When pondering what symbolizes her high school experience, Rachel Hall thinks of the pink leather jacket she loved (and wore constantly) her freshman year. “Though I haven’t worn it in a long time, I used to wear it a lot, so I would put my pink leather jacket in my time capsule. One of my friends (a new student at the time) even referred to me as ‘the girl with the pink leather jacket’ before he learned my name,” Hall said. Who would have thought a compact could be so memorable? Jennifer Kim explains her sentiments behind this special colorful makeup item. “I would put the eyeshadow I used to wear into the time capsule. I don’t know why I did it, but I always used to put on this one eyeshadow for school every day, and I think that represents my
freshman self because I still didn’t quite know who I was, but since then, I have developed into who I am today,” Kim said. Regardless of the physical activity, athletics on the Latin campus left a long-lasting impression in the hearts of many Hawks. To these seniors, the athletic program produced some of the most important memories for their time capsule. For TJ Creamer, his time on the baseball diamond needs to be represented in the class of 2022’s capsule. “I would like to remember the games that I attended and all of the group events that were held. I think the thing that I would like to remember most though was being a part of a team. I would put my baseball glove in my time capsule because it taught me how to work and how not to work well with teammates, overall proving to be an extremely beneficial experience,” Creamer said. For other athletes it’s their bond as Hawk teammates that they would want memorialized for years to come. Jennifer Kim’s participation on the
to build our relationships with one another,” Hill said. Creative Hawks also noted the need for space in the time capsule (for the performing and visual arts). Morgan Hammer, a seasoned Latin thespian, went big when she considered her contribution to the time capsule. “I would put the stage in my time capsule because it reminds me of every incredible theater memory I’ve had at CLS. The sheer hard work, imagination and shenanigans that go into every production are encompassed in that space. It represents my best friends whom I met through theater as well as my evolution as an artist and a person. It also holds the best memories of my life in every show I’ve ever done; memories and people I will never forget,” Hammer said. Brendan Bucci, one of Latin’s visual artists, claims that all three art rooms on campus had an impact on his time as a Hawk. “If I could I would put all three of the art rooms in. They are where my creativity became unleashed and I matured as an artist. It is a representation of why I got into architecture school,
why I am infatuated with building guitars, and how I went from the worst painting of a car I’ve ever seen to perfectly capturing the menacing glare of the Green Goblin from the 2002 Spider-Man movie,” Bucci said. There were also many memorable classes that earned a place in the class’s capsule. Bucci’s love of history would become a historical artifact in the time capsule. “I would put the 905 room as it holds my favorite class and teacher. It is where I first fell in love with studying world history and where I returned to study European history senior year. It is my favorite subject taught by my favorite teacher and it is a necessary part of my time capsule,” Bucci said. For Rachel Hall, Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story would find its way inside the time capsule. “My favorite class at Latin was American Studies (in junior year) for many reasons. I loved the style with its discussions and literary/ historical connectivity, but I really fell in love with it because the analysis of social justice issues was so incredibly thought provoking. My favorite
piece from the class was a short story called ‘The Yellow Wallpaper.’ I annotated it to the point where there was barely any blank space left on the papers. Because I connected with that story, I would definitely put a copy of that in my time capsule,” Hall said. Jennifer Kim’s reminder has nothing to do with math but everything to do with friendship and why teachers at Latin are so special. “I would put a cup of coffee into the time capsule because it reminds me of geometry with Mrs. Moreland. I remember on Fly Day; CLS had brought in a coffee truck and Mrs. Moreland let us go down to get coffee at the start of class. That memory has stuck with me. Geometry gave me some of my best friends, and Mrs. Moreland has been one of my favorite teachers,” said Kim. For Chloe Wooster, an entire building brings together both her favorite class and teacher to a special place in her time at Latin. “The old math building would be representative of my favorite class because that’s the math class where I had my favorite teacher of all time, Mr. Hall. I had some of my best friends
in that class and Mr. Hall insects, the class of 2022 became someone that I has a wealth of symbolic will always remember. He memories that they will would show us pictures treasure for years to come. of his cat, Midnight, and This class is well-knowns on tell us all about his college campus for their likeability stories from Davidson, such and their sense of humor. as him losing his cat at a Who wouldn’t want to be a party,” said Wooster. Tyler fly (or moth?) on the wall Hill’s contribution may look like an homage to a science class, but it really represents his favorite English teacher. “If I had to put something into a time capsule to inundate myself with memories from my favorite class, I would add a moth. Whenever I see a moth, I’m reminded of my sophomore and junior year English classes with Ms. Klein. She’s deadly afraid of moths and always told us stories about her dangerous encounters with them. Ms. Klein’s passion for storytelling and her hilarious Morgan Hammer gets ready to dance along to a faway of describing these situations made vorite song with her signature headphones in place. my English classes much more enjoyable for their ten-year reunion and transformed the way and hear the stories they I looked at writing and will tell? Just open this time storytelling, so this symbol capsule for a sneak peek or feels perfect,” said Hill. a quick reminder of what From headphones to made this class, and their sashes and coffee mugs to memories, special.
Tyler Hill poses proudly with his parents, Ray and Lisa Hill, on senior night for varsity soccer. Photo by St John Photography
dance team had special meaning to her, and she wanted to remember it always. “I would put my sparkle belt from the dance team into the time capsule. We only wore these for one game, but it reminds me of the close bond that we all made in our time on the dance team and the special dynamic that we created. It represents sisterhood and a mutual love for our school and our dance team,” Kim said. Tyler Hill shared similar sentiments regarding his time spent on the pitch in Patten Stadium. “If I could put anything into a time capsule to encapsulate my favorite non-academic experience at Latin, I would add the soccer field. I treasure this field as it’s where I’ve made countless friends over the past four years and it’s where I’ve always felt the most comfortable to be myself. The soccer field itself is a perfect representation of the brotherhood that the soccer team builds. It is where we go to practice every single day to not only build our knowledge and ability as it pertains to soccer but also
Profiles
13
Profiles
May 2022
Celebrating Each Unique Piece: A Q&A with senior Mosaic leaders By Mia Zottoli
Students gather for Mosaic’s first meeting of the 2021-2022 school year. Photo by Anjelique Knight
Donovan Sanders, Julie Derraik, Sharanya Ravi Kumar, and Sofia Gomez, will be passing the torch of Mosaic leadership to underclassmen. Mosaic is one of the largest clubs at Charlotte Latin and advocates for diversity and inclusion at the school. Mosaic’s mission statement: “To promote diversity in and outside of our school community through events that celebrate our cultural, religious, ethnic, social and racial diversity. We strive to promote inclusivity and respect for all through appreciation and acceptance.” These four seniors, who have all taken the club to new heights, recently reflected on their time in the community! Sanders: Solidifying a position in freshman orientation and allowing our message to begin to impact kids at a younger age. Ravi Kumar: During my time as a leader, Mosaic has definitely reached a much wider audience in our Latin community. Honestly, just hearing from our club members that they feel heard and represented is a huge achievement for us and a sign that we are doing something really great. Why do you think Mosaic is an important part of Latin’s community? What impact do you hope your leadership of Mosaic has had on the Latin community? Gomez: Mosaic serves to provide a safe space for all identities at Latin. Mosaic is a space for everyone to learn and discuss together to help each other and work towards creating a welcoming and inclusive community. I hope that Mosaic has made students feel seen and supported. Derraik: I think Mosaic and all the alliance groups are vital to the Latin Community because they educate on crucial topics that we never quite get to explore in class. Everyone,
Mosaic. How did you come to join Mosaic? When did you join? Gomez: I joined Mosaic my freshman year at the club fair when Alyssa Kim ‘19 told me to sign up. I went to my first meeting where Margaux’s (Pollan ‘19) mother came to speak about her experience as a Latina woman in the United States. I loved her talk and connected with her on the experiences of difference of cultures and sense of belonging within both cultures as well. After that, I never missed a Mosaic meeting. Derraik: Before I came to Latin my brother told me about Mosaic thinking it would fit my vibe. I joined as a member freshman year and, coming from another small PWI, it blew my mind to have access to education on topics my Middle School teachers would have labeled too controversial. I think I ended up staying just because learning about identity felt really rewarding. Sanders: I joined freshman year because the topics being discussed were important to me, and I felt
the club would help me branch out a little more. Ravi Kumar: My first Mosaic meeting was the very first meeting held my freshman year. I had heard so much about Upper School’s Mosaic Club when I was in Middle School, and I was really looking forward to attending a club at Latin that celebrates diversity and that would make me feel represented. What has been your favorite memory from your time leading Mosaic? Gomez: My favorite memory was after our first meeting when we were all back together and were able to hold a meeting with all the leaders and all the students. It was superfun and refreshing, and we really got the sense of our support and team and leadership. Derraik: This actually occurred outside the classroom! During last year’s Mosaic Night, our team drove around Charlotte to sample foods from small, family-owned restaurants across the city to promote in our event. We knew COVID took a hit on some of the establishments
and thought we could maybe help out. We got to experience so much culture in the span of a few hours, which was by far the most exhilarating part of the day. Also, we had a lot of laughs and definitely ate some delicious food! Ravi Kumar: My favorite memories are from planning our meetings. I personally learn so much new information about the topics that we research for our meetings, and I always become much more passionate and interested in them. I never imagined how much my mindset would change after becoming a leader. A topic that I am now very passionate about because of our meeting is the effect of beauty standards on minority communities. What has been your favorite Mosaic meeting to lead? Derraik: Over the past three years I think there’s been too many to choose! My sophomore year we did one on Hate Speech that I think really resonated with the community. Junior year my favorite has to be a meeting we did on Code-
Switching, but I think our best is one we did recently on Rape Culture with guest speaker Mrs. Vanneste. By far, the most important aspect of Mosaic is being able to listen to the voices who have gone unheard. Ravi Kumar: My favorite Mosaic meeting to lead was definitely our meeting about Code-Switching during my first year as a leader. We leaders shared our own experiences with code-switching in our everyday lives, ultimately creating a really vulnerable environment with many of the members also sharing learning from each other’s stories. This meeting really highlighted the fact that Mosaic is a safe-space for minority students. What do you think has been Mosaic’s biggest achievement during your time as a leader? Derraik: I honestly think adapting to COVID and pulling off a virtual Mosaic Night was our biggest achievement. It took a lot of time and hard work, and we really came together as a team to come up with creative, problem solving ideas while advocating for
including the leaders, learn at these meetings—about our society, about each other, about ourselves. Mosaic is truly a vehicle for self-improvement in the sense that it teaches members to be more aware of their biases, the bubble they’re living in, and the ways they can be more productive global citizens. I hope, if anything, that my leadership of Mosaic over the past three years has helped even just a few Latin students feel safe and (most importantly) seen. Sanders: Latin is a bubble, and often the students get caught up in things that only involve their privilege. Mosaic expands that bubble and offers outlets for both POC and white students. I hope that more male students and students of color begin to take an interest in allyship and leadership at Latin. Ravi Kumar: I believe that Mosaic Club will help students understand and be aware of real-world topics and challenges that many of their own peers face. Mosaic also provides a safe space for minority students at Latin, and our goal is for them to feel free to be their authentic selves in our club environment.
What is your vision for the future of Mosaic? Derraik: I hope that Mosaic continues to be an open door to those who are interested in challenging their perceptions and learning about the world both hidden within and existing outside of our privileged CLS bubble. I hope we get to continue working with the freshmen classes and that we can bring back Food for Thought (lunch meetings which dissipated during the COVID era). Mostly though, I hope our future leadership finds the family aspect within Mosaic and learns to love each other and themselves through challenging times. Trust me, there will definitely be some! Sanders: I hope to see more community involvement within the coming years. Ravi Kumar: For the future, I see Mosaic’s club attendance increasing by a lot as well as several more school-wide events in addition to Mosaic Night. I also see Mosaic expanding beyond Charlotte Latin and collaborating/hosting conferences with the diversity clubs of other schools.
What is your message to the future leaders of Mosaic? Gomez: Be patient and understanding. Sometimes things may get frustrating, but progress takes time and all the meetings and little changes can really make the difference for some students. That’s what we seek in Mosaic. Derraik: Your job is first and foremost to educate. Put in the work and do the research; the club will grow and you will too! Also hang out with each other! Team bonding really amplifies the planning process, and you can definitely make some forever friendships. Sanders: Be resilient!! The end result is far greater than the turmoil you endure to get there. Ravi Kumar: You are truly doing something really amazing by being a leader of Mosaic and planning these monthly meetings. Thank you for your hard work, and know that you are making Latin an even better place. Is there anything else you would like to share about your
time in Mosaic? Derraik: Just that over the years Maria Klein, Jennie Hubbard, Anjalique Knight and Hugo Caraballo have been incredibly helpful in giving us the creative freedom to explore with Mosaic Club. They are extraordinarily kind people, and they inspire me on the daily to chase compassion even when it’s difficult. Sanders: My Mosaic team is and always will be the best in Mosaic and Latin history. Ravi Kumar: Our Mosaic team these past two years have been an absolute blast to work with, and each of us brought something to the table that really enhanced the quality of our meetings. I really want to thank all of them for being amazing leaders!
Profiles
14
Profiles
May 2022
T h i s G i r l ’s G o t G a m e :
Life’s a ball when you play with Mary Schleusner It is tough enough to excel in one sport, but four? Mary Schleusner, a four-sport senior phenom, has managed to become a valuable asset for all of her varsity sports: cross country, basketball, soccer and track and field. Considering how there are only three different seasons and she contributes to four different teams, she gives a lot of thanks to her coaches. Schleusner said, “They are accommodating and understanding, which allowed me to succeed without making me feel like I should be with a different team.” This was especially in the spring when she had to balance two sports at the same time; however, her coaches would agree it was worth it, because Schleusner added so much to both the soccer and track and field teams. Schleusner’s dominant role in Charlotte Latin’s sports program has made her an easy role model for younger female athletes. She is the youngest in her family with two older brothers, Rob 19’ and Tommy Schleusner, and they are part of the reason for her starting sports. She was always eager to play a
By Mary Stewart Hunter
watched her brothers run when she was younger and decided that she had a passion in track and field and cross country. Fans watching a sport in which Mary Schleusner competed would have noticed her right away from her energetic personality. Spectators could always tell that she was having a good time—whenever she spoke, more than likely people would be laughing around her. As a captain on three of her varsity teams (cross country, basketball and soccer), she was respected and looked up to
by her teammates, which illustrated the leadership role she held in Latin athletics. When people watched her on the sports field, she wanted to be a role model for recognizing that Hawk athletes should always be positive, have fun and remember perfection is not a goal they need to achieve. Scheusner added so much to the Latin community; as a Latin lifer and someone with a reputation for a spontaneous sense of humor, peers (and teachers) could always
Schleusner running in the Latin cross country trails in her senior year. Photo by St.
Mary Schluesner tipping off for the varsity girls’ basketball team against Ravenscroft in her sophomore year. Photo
John Photography
by Anne Schleusner
sport so she could spend time with her brothers. Schleusner said, “I’ve always wanted to fit in with them and keep up with them, so playing sports allowed me to compete.” She even tried t-ball and realized quickly that she would not continue with that sport. However she
Schluesner goes after the ball on the girls’ varsity soccer team. Photo by St John Photography
count on her to give them a laugh. She was comfortable with her leadership roles and made everyone on her teams feel comfortable and not afraid to fail. She will succeed as a General at Washington and Lee University (especially on their basketball team), but in her heart, she will always be a Latin Hawk.
T h e C o r a S n y d e r Wa y : Seeing the art of words through color By Neely Hume
Part of what makes Cora Synder such an interesting and accomplished writer is how she views her world not just through words, but in the way the letters convey specific colors. “I have synthesia, which for me means that words tend to have a color or texture,” Synder said. “I use this when I am writing because a lot of the ways I think about things are different,” Snyder said. Having synthesia makes Synder a little more “colorful” than most people, but it also could be why her writing has something extra; it reflects a different dimension from the special lens in which she views words. Snyder discovered her love for writing in Middle School; after believing she lacked the talent to become a strong writer, her teacher encouraged her to submit to the Scholastics competition. “I ended up being one of the two people in my class to win a Gold Key, which made me think, okay, I guess I’ll take a shot at it,” Snyder said. The more she continued to
write, the more she realized how writing was a way to express herself, rather than just a school assignment.
dog till the very last line. I referred to it as a machine up until that point, and I think people liked it so
for being the best overall. Even though Snyder has won many accolades for her writing, she does not
Snyder as a baby reading a children’s book with her uncle.
Since pursuing writing as a hobby, Snyder has won many more awards. Her greatest accomplishment was her creation myth piece about dogs. She wrote it for the Junior Classical League (JCL). “I made it so that you did not know it was a
much because people love dogs,” Snyder said. The piece first won a Scholastics Mid Carolina Regional Gold Key, and then went on to win a National Silver Medal. At the JCL convention, she won First Place in the myth category
plan to major in writing or English in college; instead, she wants to continue to use writing as a means of expression and recreation. “I do not see myself as a writer with a capital W,” Snyder said. Part of why Snyder is such a great
writer is because she does it for leisure, not just to meet her school assignments and get good grades. She encourages other students to try and pursue writing as something to do for fun rather than just at school. “I encourage students to put their work out there and just see what happens because a lot of them just don’t see themselves as writers,” Synder said. She also believes that it is important for students who love writing to share their works since it allows them to bounce their ideas off of each other without the pressure of meeting with a teacher. Synder hoped to encourage other writers to put themselves out there and discover their own voices. “Writing doesn’t have to be boring and a class assignment; it can look different than that and actually be fun.” While not everyone may experience the colors within words that Snyder “sees” when she writes, it only takes a leap of faith to pick up a pen (or a keyboard) to join Snyder in becoming a writer.
Senior Voices
15
Senior Voices
May 2022
T h a t ’s a Wr a p !
Senior one-acts move from behind the curtain to behind the camera By Isis West
Amidst the several academic and social changes for Latin’s class of 2022 lies the introduction of a new form of entertainment for the spring season: the Senior Film. The studentled project hit the ground running as early as August 2021, drawing in a talented pool of eager and artistic minds to start bringing the project to life. The project ultimately serves as a replacement for Latin’s renowned and annual One-Acts, which were a favorite for Latin seniors across all disciplines. The prospect of replacing these short, live performances with a 10-minute long film was no easy decision. The film still upholds and incorporates the most important aspects that came with senior one-acts; that being that the ideas, planning, directing and producing all stemmed from the minds of interested seniors. It serves almost like a senior thesis for those of us involved with and interested in theater and visual arts. Within the project, I serve as the head director and associate writer for the
Morgan Hammer, Donovan Sanders and Anna Wasko flash a smile during their filming break. Photo by Isis West
script. My job entails giving out blocking to actors, communicating with actors on how to deliver lines and overall just giving the film itself a creative direction, choosing how the story is told. At the end of the 20202021 school year, interest forms for the senior film
Kate McCracken prepares for her closeup as Elena. Photo by Isis West
moment.” This commitment to filming in such an iconic space on Latin’s campus at night is an attempt at humanizing the lives of seniors. The film’s story strives to introduce these themes by framing the characters as young adults learning from each other (and themselves) while also having fun within a setting they usually associate with “by-the-book” learning. I completely adore this philosophical contrast and its incorporation into the entire set and location of the film. Lizzy Griesser is the associate director and head student producer of the film. Her experience with both one-acts and now the senior film has allowed her to share some intimate insight into the philosophy
and air surrounding the project. “One Acts were an opportunity for seniors to express themselves creatively through humor by writing short acts and scenes on any topic they wanted,” Griesser said. “Anyone could participate in them, but it was the seniors who wrote them… they were meant to be a capstone project for seniors who had participated or wanted to participate in the arts at Latin,” Griesser said. She detailed her emotions surrounding the decision to make the switch, “Although I was a little disappointed in not having One Acts, I was more excited to be a part of creating a film! I think this is such a cool idea, especially given that we had made two movies for our performances the previous
January and February of 2022, prompting the need for necessary alterations to the film’s story and characters. Finally, in March of 2022, full production for the film hit the ground running. Students from all grade levels in Upper School have the opportunity to participate both on-screen and behind the scenes, attending several different workshops on production, acting, and crew works courtesy of Emily Gold and Joe of Shutter Blade Media. A unique aspect of the film lies in the fact that the entirety of it takes place at night in Latin’s beautiful Inlustrate Orbem building, typically referred to by students as the “Straté” by students. To quote the film’s logline, “Chairiot” (the working title for the film) follows “an unlikely group of six seniors who find themselves trapped on campus after wrapping up their musical rehearsal; As they attempt to escape the Inlustrate, they are confronted with the idea that their individual problems and worries are less important than living and learning at the
were promoted schoolwide, and by October of 2021, the idea for the film was pitched to a production company and Matt Cosper, Head of Theater Arts. At the roundtable sat six proud young senior girls, confidently pitching their ideas, hoping for a chance at approval. These
young girls included Isis West, Lizzy Griesser, Kate McCracken, Campbell Loeffler, Morgan Hammer and Sharanya Ravi Kumar. Approval was inevitably received, and by December of 2021, the first draft of the script for “Chairiot” was completed. Casting and revisions followed in
year.” The disappointment surrounding this decision was a common one for seniors heavily involved in theater. Some even took to creating google forms petitions in an effort to get the department to reconsider. Despite the shared and subtle disappointment, “I also think that the film will showcase even more of a capstone for the theater seniors because we are really taking charge and have creative liberty to make what we want… There are opportunities for seniors across the creative board; from acting to writing to costumes to producing.” As a producer, Griesser is responsible for communications with the cast, crew and executive producers (Shutterblade Media) as well as scheduling. On the topic of difficulty surrounding the project, Griesser expressed some of her concerns to me. “I think making the shooting hours go smoothly will be a little difficult,” Griesser said. “Not many people on this project have a lot of experience with film and filmmaking, and for those of us who have had experience, we know it is very different from theater.
Rather than being able to worry, and creative doubt rehearse for weeks, the surfaces the stark reality actors are going to get their that I am actually making blocking the day of and something tangible that blocking will probably happen with people whom change throughout time I respect, admire, and on set. Although we love. I often look back on have ShutterBlade Media my projects and learnings to guide us on filming, from my past years of not many of us have filmmaking class at Latin encountered being behind with Mr. Cosper and relish the camera. The adjustment in the prospect of how far will be difficult, but I have I have come along with absolute faith that everyone the rest of the talented will do an incredible job!” senior cast and crew. All “Chairiot” shot from of our relentless hours and March 30 through April years of dedication to our 1 and premiered April 30 art is amazingly inspiring in Thies Auditorium for and I impatiently marvel a special “one night only” at being able to play such event. All in all, we hope a significant role in such that the project is a worthy a thrilling culmination substitute for one-acts of the plurality of our but most importantly, we creative minds. simply hope that Latin enjoys, appreciates and respects our project. While at the time I was writing this article we had only begun production of the film, I can say it has been one of the most exhilarating and hopefully rewarding experiences of my high school career. Beyond the Lizzy Griesser relaxes before jumping back into filming. moments of stress, Photo by Isis West
16
Spring Break
Spring Break
May 2022
A r o u n d t h e Wo r l d B u t S t i l l To g e t h e r : A spring break of interconnectivity By Connor Little
The seniors on the Jamaica trip come together on the traditional “white out” night to snap a picture and make a memory. Photo taken by Abbe McCracken
Spring Break 2022 was filled with all kinds of fun activities for the senior Hawks. Fifty-nine seniors made their way down to the Caribbean to visit the
tropical paradise of Jamaica. Meanwhile, seniors such as Isabelle Cowan and Harrison Klingman went sightseeing around America where they admired the
Christopher O’Leary, Amelia Bing and Emilie Jaen prepare to snorkel and explore the Jamaican waters. Photo by Abbe McCracken
Morgan Hammer poses at the marina at Disney’s Grand Floridian. Photo by Julie Hammer
together. “It was really fun because our grade came together in Jamaica. We got to talk to people that we don’t normally interact with at school. The grade felt more cohesive than ever because of this trip,” Emma Colaco said. Many seniors agreed. “Because of how laid back the trip was, I got to really grow my relationships with some of my best friends but also make some new friends with both my peers and their parents, an opportunity I will always appreciate,” Ryan Lupfer said. Many seniors who chose
beauty of nature and toured important sites in history. Some seniors (such as Morgan Hammer) went on their last college visits which helped them make
their final decision before they embarked on the next chapter of their lives. As beautiful as Jamaica is, the island itself was not what made the trip
not to go on the Jamaica trip took advantage of their week off to explore the United States. Harrison Klingman immersed himself in some of our nation’s deepest history as he explored Monticello’s garden, famous for being the former home of the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. “I got to refamiliarize myself with the geography of Jefferson’s experience and visited a bookstore to make some purchases on gardening, history and botany,” Klingman said. Meanwhile, Isabelle Cowan visited
Sedona, Arizona and spent some time appreciating the true beauty of the nature around her. “My favorite part was an astronomy tour, as well as all the hiking I did; Sedona is only two hours away from the Grand Canyon, so the rocks look very beautiful and there are some amazing views,” Cowan said. While most of her classmates were spending time relaxing and taking a break from school, Morgan Hammer decided to spend her break touring colleges. “I went on a 2300 mile road trip with my mom where Ryan Lupfer and his dad, Chris Lupfer, enjoy the catamaran cruise in Jamaica. we visited five colleges. I Photo by Abbe McCracken did musical theater shadow high school experiences in days at some and scholars general, better than they weekend at another. We could have ever imagined. also stopped at Disney. I loved getting to spend time STAFF with my mom and seeing lots of different places. Plus, Editors in Chief........ Hailey Kim, Connor Little, Ryan of course I love Disney Lupfer because it is my favorite Sports Editor............Tommy place in the entire world,” Beason Hammer said. Staff Reporters................ Whether the seniors Ana Burk, Jessica Clover, were spending time Lucy Dempsey, Sloane together relaxing or Hobart, Neely Hume, exploring the world to Mary Stewart Hunter, Jaya prepare themselves for Iyer, Lydia McNichols, wherever their lives may Max Thompson, Isis West, be leading them, they all Peyton Youse, Mia Zottoli acknowledged that their Contributors..........Harrison fellow seniors made many Klingman, Elaine Liu of their trips, and their Faculty Adviser....Lori Davis
Harrison Klingman stands by the flower beds and gardens at Monticello. Photo by Julie Klingman
so memorable for the seniors; instead, it was the time they got to spend with their friends relaxing and reminiscing over the past four years they spent
